Ten Music-Musts For Me

     Note in advance, a good portion of these songs may seem sad but I promise I don't listen to each of these in succession on a rainy day while sitting in my car and watching a montage of all my mistakes in life. These songs are my top ten because of how each has inspired me at various points in my life (10=less of a favorite, 1=more).

10. "It's Been A While" by Staind

          This song was one that I heard while young, and one that as I got older I understood more and more and began to enjoy it more as I started to really comprehend the lyrics. Today it's not a song that I listen to often, but it is one that I found myself listening to in order to get a sense of nostalgia: because of my fondness for the song and yet distance, this song finds its place at number ten.

9. "Never Too Late" by Three Days Grace

         I heard this song for the first time a few years ago when I began to inspect the band known as Three Days Grace and their music. Not only do I enjoy I overall music and flow of the song, but the lyrics captured my attentions since day one with lines such as, "It's not too late...It's never too late...". The lyrics, although seemingly dark to a new listener, were able to bring me hope during times in which I struggled and almost became an anthem to me each time I got overly-stressed.

8. "Mr. Brightside" by The Killers

          Although this particular song can be interpreted in several different ways, this song is one of happiness to me (which is strange, considering the lyrics of the song are sung from the point of view of a man who has kissed and fallen for a woman who is already promised to someone else). The reason that I enjoy this song to the extent that I do is because through the singer's pain and through the experience he is describing, the reoccurring lyric, "Open up my eager eyes...'Cause I'm Mr. Brightside", is present. To me this lyric meant that no matter what this man was going to, he found it within himself to pull the good out of a bad situation; something I wished to incorporate into my own life.

7. "How You Remind Me" by Nickelback

         The first phrase of this song is why it is placed at number seven. The lyrics, "Never made it as a wise man...Couldn't cut it as a poor man stealing...Tired of living like a blind man...I'm sick of sight without a sense of feeling..." forced me to think a great deal about the possible meaning behind them. In only one line the song contradicts itself, and as the song goes on it describe heartbreak although I didn't relate to that nearly as much as I did other parts. I enjoy songs that make me think, that make me want to know the lyrics after hearing it only once and this song did just that.

6. "Iris" by the Goo Goo Dolls

        Yet another song that I heard in my childhood (I see a pattern here). This melody finds itself on my list because it appealed to my personality at a young age. The song explains that the singer doesn't wish to be seen fully by the world because he worries that no one will understand him. Being that I was/still am on the path of finding myself, the mindset described in the song is one that I used to cling to as a shy individual who wasn't sure how to portray myself without making myself seem awkward. Now that I am further on this path and have a better grasp on who I want to be, listening to this song reminds me of a path taken within my life.

5. "The Kill" by 30 Seconds To Mars

          "The Kill" is a song that I heard only about a year or two ago, but one that I thoroughly enjoy. Just like the other songs within the list this song was an anthem for me, especially during my freshmen year in high school. When listening to this song I found myself pushed to do better for myself and my grades, for my friends and family no matter what obstacles came towards me and no matter what hurdles I might face; in other words, it helped to build my confidence when I was unsure of a great deal of things.

4. "Battle Scars" by Paradise Fears

         Finally, an upbeat-ish song! "Battle Scars" is high on my list of favorites because it can serve as a beacon of hope to many different people. It basically says that every person has their own problems, struggles, and in the sense, battle scars, but that people are still able to come together and move forward because their struggles make them both wiser and smarter. It asks what you as an individual plan to do with yourself, and in a way encourages you to chase what you want while you can: songs with meaning seem to capture my attention.

3. "I Will Not Bow" by Breaking Benjamin

          I won't lie, the actual music style and guitar solo initially captured my attention in this song. This is the type of song I would/do listen to if I'm feeling unsure or weak at points in my life by pushing me to go forwards and be strong; in a sense this song does several of the things described in the previous songs, but the music style and personal history I have with this song make me cling to it and place it at number three.

2. "I'm Still Here" from Treasure Planet

        Although from an animated movie, this song is in close competition with both two and three because-surprise- it is from my childhood and I have loved it since I first heard it. It has traveled with me when I knew nothing of trying to find myself, through times in which I felt insecure and unsure, and to where I am now with myself. It convinced me that even if people aren't able to see me for who I am completely, I am able to know who I am and be who I want to be within life.

1. "I Stand Alone" from Quest For Camelot

         Finally, number one. "I Stand Alone" was one of the first songs I heard growing up from an animated movie that I would rewind and watch again and again just to learn the lyrics as soon as possible. Even as time has gone on I often think of the title of this song with a fondness, as I'm quite proud to think to myself "I stand alone". I don't mean in the context of sadness, as if I'm alone without a partner or family or friends: I have people in my life that I love and care for. However, "standing alone" in the sense of the song to me means having others to support you and supporting others while understanding that you are strong and confident enough to take care of yourself and be yourself. In short, this song ties in everything I value in a meaningful, personal song in a beautiful melody that provides nostalgia.

     So, there you have it: my top ten songs based on personal vendetta and meaning. I don't expect anyone to listen to these particular songs: there is a huge chance that I'll grow out of some, but for now these are on a high pedestal for meaning and coaching throughout my life.

     

Shines Like A New Penny

     In the interaction between Penny and Fugit at 2:20-2:22, several arguments are created. By simply taking Fugit's pen Penny suggests that Fugit's attention is in the wrong place: that he needs to let go of his material object and set task in order to live within the moment along with everyone else. This is just one of several arguments that can be interpreted (such as the argument that people can lose site of what's important, etc.). However, it seems that Penny's primary argument is that Fugit should focus on the show and the people around him rather than his notes.
      Fugit's facial expression immediately following Penny's action is one of happiness and almost relief, as if he was more satisfied with interacting with her than his work. If Fugit had tried to take the pen back, Penny could have easily said something along the lines of "the smile on your face tells me that you don't actually want the pen back". Once the pen is gone Fugit smiles and glances between Penny and Russell, who both look at him and smile back in approval: Russell's smile of encouragement works to support Penny's argument that Fugit's "choice" to participate in the show rather than note-take is one that people approve of. The clip's design in itself also support's Penny's idea. Shortly before the scene cuts to Fugit writing the title of the band's song, a woman on the shoulders of another person is seen singing along and slowly clapping: although she is enjoying the music, she's calm and not cheering or screaming with excitement. The video doesn't show people cheering and screaming again until Penny has taken Fugit's pen and Fugit is seen watching Russell and the band. Following this Fugit stares at Penny, and it just so happens that the song's main guitar solo (or at least the one the viewer hears) takes place, possibly signifying again that interacting with Penny and becoming a part of the crowd was the "right" choice. Finally, Fugit is invited to accompany Fugit and his band members to L.A before being kissed by a groupie. Both of these events leave Fugit feeling accomplished and proud rather than ashamed for not continuing to take notes during the band's performance.
     Overall Penny's quick swipe can be interpreted as several arguments. It's different to see someone taking a material object away from someone so that the attention is placed on what's happening in the moment. In the video no one in the crowd had a pen and paper, a cell phone, a camera. Each person is cheering and swaying with their hands in the air and eyes trained on the band. Today people encourage one another to take pictures or videos of the event to show others, to share later rather than now or in the moment. In a way both Penny and the designers of the movie place a reminder that living in the moment can be just as (if not more) appealing, rewarding, and satisfying than trying to make notes for a later.